Toy top and release means therefor

ABSTRACT

A toy top has a body with spinning points extending oppositely therefrom. Opposed slotted apertures in the body open to the outer surface. Release apparatus has a pair of cords with members secured to their mid portions that are removably engagable with the slots. The release apparatus supports in use the top in spinning by twisting the cords in an opposite winding and unwinding action, and releases the top in spinning when the cords are unwound.

United States Patent 1191 Mann 1451 Feb. 5, 1974 TOY TOP AND RELEASE MEANS THEREFOR [76] Inventor: Frederick W. Mann, PO. Box 444,

Waterville, Kans. 66548 221 Filed: Dec. 6, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 312,565

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 158,246, June 30;

197i, abandoned.

52 U.S. c1. 46/62 [51] Int. Cl A63h 1/32 [58] Field of Search 46/62 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 879,152 2/1908 Diak 46/62 2,012,729 8/1935 Pisacano 46/62 Primary EtaminerLouis G. Mancene Attorney, Agent, or Firm-John H. Widdowson 5 7 ABSTRACT A toy top has a body with spinning points extending oppositely therefrom. Opposed slotted apertures in the body open to the outer surface. Release apparatus has a pair of cords with members secured to their mid portions that are removably engagable with the slots. The release apparatus supports in use the top in spinning by twisting the cords in an opposite winding and unwinding action, and releases the topin spinning when the cords are unwound.

4 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures Patented Feb. 5, 1974 3,789,545

TOY TOP AND RELEASE MEANS THEREFOR This application is a continuation-in-part application based on my now pending application for patent entitled TOY TOP RECEIVING AND RELEASE MEANS, having Ser. No. 158,246, filed June 30, 1971, now abandoned and assigned to Group 330 for prosecution.

Numerous types of spinning toy tops are known in the prior art which are operable to be rotated and set in spinning motion by strings and the like couplable with the top. These prior art tops are constructed so that the strings or cords are engagable with the outer peripheral portion of the top or the toys are constructed with a quick disconnect fastener used to attach the string or cord to the top. In regard to the tops with the slotted peripheral portions, the strings have a tendency to slip from the top as the strings are alternately winding and unwinding which oftentimes inadvertently releases the top before a proper spinning velocity is achieved. In regard to the tops having the snap fasteners these devices securely attach the cord to the top yet often present difficulty in disengaging the fasteners so the top is released in the desired position for spinning or rolling. Other spinning toys are known in the prior art which are simply rings or circular disks supportable between looped and alternately winding and alternately tensioning cords. These other toys have slots in the outer peripheral portions thereof to receive strings or cords for their support. To properly rotate such a toy the cords must be held in a substantial tension so that winding and unwinding of them will not inadvertently release the toy. Releasing these toys is accomplished by releasing some of the tension on the cords when they are unwound or unwinding so that the toy can slip free of them and roll freely on the ground.

In a preferred specific embodiment, a toy top structure includes a body with surface contact spinning points extending oppositely from the center portion of the body, a pair of opposed slotted apertures in the body extending from its center and open on its outer surface, and a release apparatus having a pair of cords with top engaging members secured thereto to removably engage the body at the slotted apertures. In regard to specific structure of this embodiment, the top body is a disk-like member with rectangularly shaped slotted apertures, and the top engaging members are spool-like members secured to the cords along their elongated axis so that the center portion of the spool is passable into the slotted aperture with the end portions being on opposite sides of the disk-like body.

In another preferred specific embodiment, a toy top structure includes the same general features ofthe first described embodiment, mainly a body with surface contact spinning points extending oppositely from the center portion of the body, a pair of opposed slotted apertures extending from the center of the body and open on its outer surface, and a release apparatus having a pair of cords with top engaging members secured thereto to removably engage the body at the slotted apertures. In regard to the specific structure of this embodiment, the body is a disk-like member having slotted apertures with generally cylindrical interior portions that have the axis of the cylinder extending radially from the center portion of the body. The top engaging members are generally spherical beads attachedto the cords. The beads are adapted to be engaged in the cylindrical opening of the slotted apertures.

One object of this invention is to provide a toy top structure overcoming the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art devices.

Still, one other object of this invention is to provide a toy top structure having a body portion with surface contact spinning points extending oppositely from it and having a pair of slotted apertures in the body extending from its center portion open on the outer surface of the body, and the toy including a release apparatus with a pair of cords having top engaging members secured thereto which are constructed and adapted to be removably engagable with the body at the slotted apertures for spinning of the toy top. 1

Still, another object of this invention is to provide a toy top structure which has a disk-like body with the spinning points extending from the center portion thereof and having rectangularly shaped slotted apertures extending radially from the center portion of the body, and additionally having top engaging members in the form of spools which are engagable with the apertures so the shank portion of the spool is passed into the aperture with the ends of the spool being on opposite sides of the body.

Yet, another object of this invention is to provide a toy top structure which has a disk-like body with the spinning points extending from the center portion thereof, the body having slotted apertures extending from the center portion thereof with cylindrical interior portions adapted to receive and removably hold bead-like top engaging members which are attached to the release apparatus cords and are used in spinning the toy.

Various other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following discussion, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the toy top having the rectangular slotted apertures in the body with the top being supported by the release apparatus in an upright position;

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the release apparatus for the toy top shown in FIG. 1 with the spools spaced a short distance apart;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevation view of the toy top shown in FIG. 1 with the end portions of the re lease apparatus removed and showing in detail the slotted aperture with a spool therein;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a top engaging spool member for the release apparatus shown in FIG. 2, with the cord therefor removed;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the toy top having the cylindrically shaped slotted apertures shown with the beads of the release apparatus in the slots and the cords of the release apparatus in a twisted condition;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side elevation view of the toy top shown in FIG. 5 with the end portions of the release apparatus removed and showing in detail the cylindrically slotted aperture with a bead therein; and

FIG. 7 is a top plan view ofa portion of the top shown in FIG. 5, wherein the cylindrically slotted aperture is visible therein in dashed lines.

The following is a discussion and description of preferred specific embodiments of the toy top and release means therefor of this invention, such being made with reference to the drawing, whereupon the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts and/or structure. It is to be understood that such discussion and description is not to unduly limit the scope of the invention.

The toy top and release means therefor of this invention as disclosed herein includes two basically similar and closely related embodiments. The toy in both of the disclosed embodiments has a body with surface contact spinning points extending oppositely from it and a pair of opposed slotted apertures in the body; and the release apparatus has a pair of cords with top engaging members secured to each cord to removably engage the body at the slotted apertures when used in spinning the toy and releasing same. One embodiment, (l), of the invention is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4 and is generally indicated at 10. The other embodiment, (2), is shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 and is generally indicated at 12.

Referring to the drawing in detail and in particular to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4, the toy top and release apparatus are generally indicated at 10'with the top generally indicated at 14 and the release apparatus generally indicated at 16. The top 14 has a body 18 with surface contact points 20 extending fromv its center portion and further having slotted apertures, generally indicated at 22, extending from the center portion of the body being open to the bodys outer surface. The release apparatus 16 includes a pair of spools 24 attached to cords 26 and 28 which are supported by finger engaging rings 30 and 32. The release apparatus 16 supports the top 14 and rotates same in a spinning motion by oppositely and alternately winding and unwinding the chords simultaneously while they are held in tension.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 show in detail the structure of the top 14. The top 14 is preferably a disk-like structure as shown in the drawing with the surface contact spinning points extending from opposite sides of the geometrical center of the disk and having the slotted apertures 22 as slots extending radially from the center of the disk. The top 14 will appear the same when seen from either side. The exterior peripheral surface of the body 18 is preferably cylindrical and indicated at 34. The slotted apertures 22 are preferably rectangularly shaped and open to the outer peripheral body surface 34. The side surfaces of the body 18 are indicated at 36 and may be indented in the pattern shown in FIG. 1 or formed in other shapes as desired since they have no functional purpose other than decoration. In use the top 14 rotates about its center axis and can spin on the contact points 20 or roll like a wheel on the peripheral edge surface 34.

The release apparatus 16 is shown in detail in FIGS. 2 and 4. A spool 24 is shown in FIG. 4 detached from the cord. The spool 24 has a shank portion 37 with enlarged ends 38 on its opposite end portions and a passageway 40 through the shank portion 37 and the ends 38 as shown. The passageway 40 provides the means of attaching the cord to the spool. A cord is placed in the passageway 40 which aligns it with the axis of the shank portion 37 and the ends 38. One manner of securing a cord to a spool 24 is by using an adhesive. Depending upon the specific structure of the spool and the material from which it is constructed, it may be crimped to the cord, or attached to it by an adhesive, or formed integrally with the cord. As shown in FIG. 2 the finger engaging rings 30 and 32 have the cords 26 and 28 attached thereto and positioned so the spools 24 are in the relative position shown, namely, in the mid portion of the cords. The spools 24 should be attached to the cords so when held in the vertical position the top body 18 will be in a horizontal position and be generally at the mid point between the rings 30 and 32. It is to be noted that the cords 26 and 28 can be a single length of material attached to the rings 30 and 32 in the spools 24 or they can be separate pieces individually attached to the rings and the spools.

In the use and operation of the toy top 10 of this embodiment, (I), of this invention, such is positioned and arranged as shown in FIG. 1. The spools 24 are engaged in the innermost portion of the slotted apertures 22 and assume the position shown in FIG. 3 with the spool ends 38 on opposite sides of the tops body 18. To spin the top'a person grasps the rings 30 and 32 with his hand with the top 14 supported therebetween then swings the top in a circular motion to initially twist the cords 26 and 28. When the cords 26 and 28 are twisted then changing their tension by pulling on the rings causes the top 14 to spin as the cords wind and alternately unwind under the pulling influence. When it is desired to release the top 14 from the release apparatus 16, the tension is removed from the cords when the top is in an unwinding or unwound condition. At this release moment centrifugal force moves the spools 24 through the slotted apertures 22 and from the top body 18 thereby releasing the top as a free spinning object whereupon it will fall to a surface below and spin on the contact points 20. At the moment of releasing the top 14 from a vertical position the person must move his'hands to the side or swing the top slightly so it will fall past this lower hand. If desired the toy top 10 can be rolled as a wheel by releasing the top with its spinning axis horizontally disposed so the outer peripheral surface 34 will strike a supporting surface and the toy top 14 will roll.

Another preferred specific embodiment, (2), of the invention is generally indicated at 12 and shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 as hereinbefore stated. The toy top and release therefor 12 of this embodiment includes a top, generally indicated at 50, and the release apparatus, generally indicated at 52. The structure of the top 50 is generally similar to that of the previously. described top 14 with changes in the slotted apertures. The top 50 has a body 54 with surface contact spinning points 56 extending from opposite sides of it and having cylindrically slotted and opposed apertures 58 extending from the center portion thereof and open to its outer surface. The release apparatus 52 has a pair of cords 60 and 62 supported from rings 64 and 66 with bead-like top engaging members 68 secured to the mid portion of the cords for engagement in the cylindrically slotted apertures 58 in the top 50.

The top 50 is shown in detail in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 and has a circular disk-like body 56 as shown. The surface contact spinning points 56 extend from the body at its center along an axis perpendicular to the plane of the body. The outer peripheral surface of the body 54 is indicated at 70. The slots or slotted apertures 58 are shown in detail in FIGS. 6 and 7. The cylindrically slotted apertures have a grooved portion in the sides of the slots forming it to a generally cylindrical portion 72 and a rectangular slotted portion '74 preferably constructed as shown. The grooved slot portion 72 has its elongated axis extending radially from the center of the body 54 and is positioned equidistant relative to the sides of the body between the rectangular aperture portion 74. The opposite side surfaces of the top 50 can be constructed as shown in the drawing with indented portions 76 or they can be constructed in other decorative patterns or shapes since the sides are not critical to the function of the top.

The release apparatus 52 is shown in detail in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 of the drawing. The release apparatus 52 is constructed generally similar to the release apparatus 16 of the hereinbefore described embodiment, (l), with the distinction lying in the top engaging members. In the toy top of this embodiment, (2), the top engaging members are preferably spherically shaped beads or the like which are secured to the cords. The beads are indicated at 68 and are attached to the cords with the cord passing through the geometric center portion of them. The cords 60 and 62 can be attached with the beads by a slotted passageway, or a split portion of the bead, or they can be integrally formed with the cords. The cords 60 and 62 are attached to the supporting finger engaging rings 64 and 66 so that when the release apparatus 52 is held vertically the beads will support the top 50 in a generally horizontal position when they are engaged in the cylindrically shaped slotted apertures 58. The cords 60 and 62 can be separate cords attached to the rings 64 and 66 or they can be a single piece looped cord attached to the rings with the beads 68 positioned as described.

In use the toy top 12 of this embodiment, (2), operates and functions in the same manner as described hereinbefore with the other embodiment, (1). The top 50 is supported by the release apparatus 52 with the beads 68 engaged in the cylindrically slotted apertures 58 as the cords are initially wound. Pulling on the rings 64 and 66 alternately will wind and unwind the cords 60 and 62 thereby rotating the top 50. When it is desired to release the toy top 50 from the release apparatus 52, the tension of the cords 60 and 62 is released when they are unwinding or are unwound so that centrifugal forces will cause the beads 68 to be passed through the open end of the slotted apertures 58 and separated from their connection with the top 50 thereby leaving the top a free spinning object. The toy top 50 can be spun by the release apparatus 52 and released so that it spins as a top and turns on the points 56 or so that it rolls as a wheel on its outer peripheral surface 70 depending upon whether it is released with its spinning axis vertically or horizontally oriented. It is to be noted that releasing the top 50 so that its spinning axis is at an angle between the vertical and horizontal will cause the top 50 to rotate on its edge and have arcing motions during its travel.

In the manufacture of the toy top and release means structure of this invention, it is obvious that same can be done easily to achieve the end product. Due to its simple design the toy top can be constructed from molding methods or pressing or other forming methods compatible with the manufacturing processes available for small toys and other such disk-like articles. The release apparatus can be constructed as described by joining two separate cords or a single cord to the rings and securing the top engaging members thereto by adhesives, by crimping, or by integrally forming.

In the use and operation of the toy top and release means structure of this invention, it is seen that same provides a toy which is easily operable to spin and release a top. The release apparatus portion of the toy is adapted to attach the body portion of the top to rotate same as a person alternately pulls and releases the cords. The release apparatus provides a positive means of spinning the top and a positive means of releasing same when it is desired to be released. The top of both of the herein described embodiments is adapted to receive and to hold their respective top engaging members of the release apparatus during its winding and unwinding and to easily release them once it is desired to release the top as a free spinning object.

As will become apparent from the foregoing description of the applicants toy top and release means, relatively inexpensive and simple means have been provided to spin a toy top and release same when desired. The top structure and the release means structure are simple to use, economical to manufacture, and can be used again and again to spin and release the top. The release means is adapted to be usable to spin and release the top so it will spin as a top on a supporting surface on one of its surface contact points or to release same so that it will roll as a wheel.

While the invention has been described in conjunction with preferred specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that this description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A toy top and release means therefor, comprising:

a. a disc-like body,

b. point portions extending oppositely from a center portion of said body, said point portions constructed and adapted to contact a surface when spinning said top,

c. a pair of opposed slots in said body, said slots extending radially from said center portion of said body and open to the outer surface of said body, and

d. release means having a pair of cords and top means engaging members, each of said engaging members secured to oneof said cords at the mid portion of the cord and constructed and adapted to engage removably said body with said engaging members in said slots, said top means engaging members being spool members secured to said cords along the spool members elongated axes.

2. The toy of claim 1, wherein:

a. said spool members have a shank portion with end flange portions on the opposite ends thereof constructed and adapted to engage in use said body with said shank portion passing into said slotted aperture and with said flange portions adjacent the upper and lower surfaces of said body, and

b. said pair of cords are joined in a loop and have finger engaging rings on the extreme end portions thereof with said spools in the center portion thereof.

3. A toy top and release means therefor, comprising:

a. a disc-like body having point portions extending oppositely from a center portion of said body, said point portions constructed and adapted to contact a surface when spinning said top,

b. a pair of opposed slots in said body extending radially from said center portion of said body and having opposed grooves in the edges thereof to re- 7 8 ceive a bead-like member to hold same in said disc- 4. The toy of claim 3, wherein: hke 9 and a. said bead members have said cords passing 0. release means having a pair of cords and top means through their center portions, and

engaging members, said top means engaging members being bead members secured to saidcords at 5 h d amid portion of said cords, said engaging members ger engagmg ""5 on t e w en pofnons being Constructed and adapted to removably thereof relative said beads with sald beads 1n the gage said body with said engaging members in said Center 1 thereofslots.

b. said pair of cords are joined in a loop and have fin- 

1. A toy top and release means therefor, comprising: a. a disc-like body, b. point portions extending oppositely from a center portion of said body, said point portions constructed and adapted to contact a surface when spinning said top, c. a pair of opposed slots in said body, said slots Extending radially from said center portion of said body and open to the outer surface of said body, and d. release means having a pair of cords and top means engaging members, each of said engaging members secured to one of said cords at the mid portion of the cord and constructed and adapted to engage removably said body with said engaging members in said slots, said top means engaging members being spool members secured to said cords along the spool members elongated axes.
 2. The toy of claim 1, wherein: a. said spool members have a shank portion with end flange portions on the opposite ends thereof constructed and adapted to engage in use said body with said shank portion passing into said slotted aperture and with said flange portions adjacent the upper and lower surfaces of said body, and b. said pair of cords are joined in a loop and have finger engaging rings on the extreme end portions thereof with said spools in the center portion thereof.
 3. A toy top and release means therefor, comprising: a. a disc-like body having point portions extending oppositely from a center portion of said body, said point portions constructed and adapted to contact a surface when spinning said top, b. a pair of opposed slots in said body extending radially from said center portion of said body and having opposed grooves in the edges thereof to receive a bead-like member to hold same in said disc-like body, and c. release means having a pair of cords and top means engaging members, said top means engaging members being bead members secured to said cords at a mid portion of said cords, said engaging members being constructed and adapted to removably engage said body with said engaging members in said slots.
 4. The toy of claim 3, wherein: a. said bead members have said cords passing through their center portions, and b. said pair of cords are joined in a loop and have finger engaging rings on the extreme end portions thereof relative said beads with said beads in the center portion thereof. 